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Frequently Asked Questions about the United States Transportation Security Administration

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Questions (along with a few answers)

Initially, this site will be used in an attempt to collect questions that people have repeatedly asked on TSA's blog (in particular, those questions that have gone unanswered).

Please add to the list. Later, we'll reorganize, link to supporting information, link to places where the questions have been asked, etc.

If you have located a credible source for an answer to one of the questions, please cite that source. If you don't, your answer is only hearsay.

Note: to add or answer a question in a particular section you must follow the "edit" link directly to the right of the heading, not the one after the section (which is actually to the right of the next section's heading). Then, start your question with an asterisk (which will cause the question to be formatted with a bullet) or your answer with two asterisks (so it will be indented an additional level). Click the "Show preview" button after editing in order to see what the result of your change will look like.

If your question doesn't fit an existing category, either A) put it in the "other" section (we can re-categorize later), or B) start a new section by editing the entire Q&A section (click "edit" to the right of that heading).

Please don't worry much about making a mistake, as everything can be changed later if necessary -- just get the information in here.

Secret Rules and Regulations

  • Where has TSA published a list of all the rules and regulations that TSA will subject someone to if that person wishes to cross a U.S. Government checkpoint at an airport en route to the gate from which his domestic flight will depart, not including laws that the person is required to abide by outside of the airport checkpoint (i.e., just those rules and regulations that apply specifically at the checkpoint)?
    • Answer: They have not published such a list.
      • TODO: cite instances of TSA describing their intent to keep rules secret and application of them inconsistent
    • There is no comprehensive list of all rules and regulations (single list style), however I found the following link to be almost comprehensive. http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/04/what-to-know-before-you-go.html This will give you as close to a complete list as I can find. I hope this helps some.

Whole-body Imaging (electronic strip search)

This is the process by which TSA staff use electronic devices to look under people's clothing, as they would do via strip-search, but without physically removing people's clothing. Sometimes they're called "millimeter wave scanners", sometimes "backscatter imaging machines", and sometimes "electronic strip-search machines". The first two names are typically used by TSA to avoid bringing attention to the fact that what they do with the machines is, for all intents and purposes, a strip-search, and to be descriptive of the technology involved. The third is typically used by people who hope to emphasize the invasive nature of the searches performed with them.

  • What is the constitutional or legal basis of conducting MMW scans of people not attempting to enter the secure or sterile areas of the airports as described in the stories about passive mobile MMW scanning machines?
    • Ronnie, a TSA TSO at Denver International, wrote (in a comment on the TSA blog, posted 2008-10-26): "I have seen a few posts here that have mentioned the "soft target" the lines @ the security checkpoints offer to potential bad guys. I too, have thought and worried about that...then along came the SPO. Thats the machine we used to passively scan all persons inside the treminal, but not specifically passing thru to the checkpoints. Then people evidently griped about that and the program was stopped."
    • See also: Kyllo v. United States (99-8508) 533 U.S. 27 (2001) (re: warrantless searches performed via use of imaging devices)
  • Why are persons evaluating full body screens hidden from the person being submitted to the scan? How can the person being scanned guarantee that the images generated are not being stored in some form, used inappropriately, or hacked into while being transmitted to the distant location in which they are currently analyzed?
    • Answer The following two links are from the TSA Blog, they detail why the person operating the machine are at a different location than the person actually being screened (http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/05/millimeter-wave-whole-body-imager.html) and (http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/05/cnn-article-airport-security-bares-all.html). The first link is an explanation of some of the procedures and other info. The second link contains info broadcast by news sources and some imagery. Essentially the person operating the machinery is at a separate location for privacy concerns. The images are not capable of being saved in the system and steps are taken to insure that TSOs can't copy or photograph the pictures displayed on the screen.
  • In checkpoints using MMW scans as primary screening instead of metal detectors, what is the standard operation regarding small children not capable of going through on their own? Are they all patted down? What body parts does the pat-down include? How are parents traveling alone with small children screened? Must they abandon their child in the check point area to go through the MMW?
  • MMW images are analyzed in a "remote undisclosed location", but are not stored or transmitted in any form, according to TSA information. How do the images get from the scanners to the remote location if they are not transmitted?

War on Liquids

medicine

  • Under what circumstances are passengers who wish to carry medication through a TSA airport checkpoint required to carry a doctor's prescription for that medication? Under what circumstances must passengers present that prescription?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources):No passengers aren't required to have a prescription. They are required to declare the item as medical. Over the counter medications are also allowed if declared as medical.
  • By what criteria will those performing searches at TSA airport checkpoints judge whether a particular liquid is medically-necessary or not?
  • Why are DFW spokespeople stating that if a person has medically necessary liquids that they MUST USE THE FAMILY LANE? Did TSA not get the word out that this is not a requirement? Paul?
    • Discussion: DFW spokesmen work for the DFW Airport Authority, not the TSA. Please address your question to the appropriate venue.

other

  • What does the TSA consider a liquid?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources): Any item that will pour, spread, ooze, or smear.
  • Why does the TSA website give the limit on non-exempt liquids and gels as 3 ounces, when the approved limit is actually 100ml (3.4 ounces)?
  • Why are new TSA publications, press releases, and videos, continuing to promote the liquid limit as 3 ounces instead of 100ml?

Mission Creep & Inappropriate Staff Behavior

  • When the TSA is providing security outside the airport environment, what is the TSA's authority to confiscate legally possessed property (e.g., confiscation of umbrellas at a political event)?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources): The TSA does not confiscate items. They are surrendered by the passengers at the airport, or the person trying to get into whatever facility the TSA is assisting with security for. The political speeches and conventions had rules against having umbrellas, knives, whathave you and the TSA assisted the SS in screening people and preventing those type items from getting into the facility.
  • What is the procedure for redress when a TSO commits an illegal act on behalf of the TSA?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources): What do you mean by illegal? Throwing someones oversized bottle of soda into the trash isn't illegal. If someone breaks the law turn them into the police. If a TSO violates what you know to be right ask for their supervisor, if that doesn't work fill out a comment card and complain. They are followed up on.
  • What measures does the TSA use to evaluate the interpersonal skills of its personnel that interact with the public?
    • This is included in the year end review by a TSOs Supervisor.

Blacklists

  • How does the No-Fly List process comply with the Constitutional protections against trial in absentia, the right to confront one's accuser, the right to a statement of the charges, and the right of due process?
    • Answer: The "No-Fly" list and "Selectee Screening" lists are not "trials", nor do they prevent someone from exercising their constitutionally protected freedoms, therefore there is no violation of the "due process" requirements.
  • Why are persons on watch lists allowed to roam freely around the airport before going through security, but after being identified as such at check in?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources): Picking up individuals on watch lists or suspected terrorists is the job of either the FBI or other law enforcement. Maybe you should ask this question on their blog?
  • How many individuals, on a daily basis, are subjected to secondary screening because their names match the watch list? How many persons have names that match watch list names?
    • Answer (of a sort) This amount of people has dwindled tremendously since the TSA changed the list monitoring and procedures. The amount of people being listed as secondary is not a stat that I can find, but it has been reduced greatly since the change.

Luggage Loopholes

  • TSA bars passengers from securing their checked luggage in a manner that prevents TSA and others from opening that luggage. How does TSA ensure that items are not stolen from checked luggage after it is out of passengers' sight? How does TSA ensure that contraband is not inserted into checked luggage after it is out of passengers' sight?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources): The TSA has programs for screening and watching airline employees. These programs aren't foolproof so if you have things that need protecting put a TSA lock on the bag
      • TSA locks are poorly made and often fall apart during the baggage handling process. No one at TSA has ever provided a straight answer on how to secure your luggage against baggage thefts.
  • If a passenger is selected for secondary screening, what provisions are made to secure that passenger's belongings from theft until the passenger rejoins his belongings?
    • Discussion (someone posted the following without citing sources):Passengers are asked to watch their belongings. If they want them moved over to where they are all they need do is ask. There are cameras in every checkpoint so if something is stolen the tapes can be reviewed.
      • There are no cameras at the gates and with gate screening resuming how do we protect our belongings from unscrupulous TSOs?

Other

  • On November 10, 2008, a TSA representative named Paul posted to the TSA blog an announcement that included, "If you’re flying after November 20th and carrying medically necessary liquids in containers larger than 3 ounces, you should use the Family Lane." Is, as Paul's statement implies, this a suggestion (i.e., something travelers should do) or is it a requirement (i.e., something travelers must do)?
    • Answer: Passengers can still choose which lane to use, so this is not a requirement. (From Paul at TSA blog, November 12, 2008: "since you can choose your lane, it's not a requirement")

Related Information


Comments and Suggestions

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